Learning, Documentation and Research Specialist

Vacancy code VA/2014/B5506/4489 Position title Learning, Documentation and Research Specialist Level ICS-10 Department/office AEMO, Myanmar Duty station Home based Contract type International ICA Contract level IICA-2 Duration One Year (Homebased, Retainer - 100 work days) Application period 08-Jan-2014 to 15-Jan-2014 Print United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Background Information - UNOPS UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations. We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries. Background Information - Myanmar

UNOPS Myanmar develops, supports and oversees a portfolio of programmes and projects in Myanmar which focus on post-disaster recovery, health programmes and food security. UNOPS Myanmar ensures that synergies between programmes and projects are effectively developed. UNOPS is also expanding its infrastructure and procurement services in Myanmar.

The UNOPS Myanmar portfolio currently includes fund management of the multi-donor Three Millennium Development Goals Fund (3MDG) and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT). In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants to Myanmar (PR-GFATM).

UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS' partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. It is also responsible for liaison with Government counterparts, Donors and UN Agencies.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS is the Fund Manager for the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) in Myanmar. LIFT is a multi-donor fund (2010 – 2018) to address food insecurity and income poverty in Myanmar. The Donor Consortium of LIFT comprises Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The overall objective of LIFT is to contribute resources to a livelihoods and food security programme with the aim of making progress towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 1 (the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger) in Myanmar. Working through a trust fund modality, LIFT's purpose is to sustainably increase food availability and incomes of two million target beneficiaries.

This is to be achieved through delivering the following programme outputs:

1. Increased agricultural production and incomes supported through improved production and postharvest technologies, improved access to inputs and markets.

2. Targeted households supported in nonagricultural livelihood activities and/or trained in livelihood skills for employment.

3. Effective social protection measures supported that increase the incomes, enhance the livelihood opportunities or protect the livelihoods assets of chronically poor households.

4. Sustainable natural resource management and environmental rehabilitation supported to protect local livelihoods.

5. Capacity of civil society strengthened to support and promote food and livelihoods security for the poor.

6. Monitoring and evaluation evidence and commissioned studies used to inform programme and policy development.

And the following management outputs: 7. Fund allocated in ilne with Fund Board policies and are accounted for in a transparent manner. 8. Fund flow and partner performance monitored and evaluated.

LIFT is implemented through a variety of local implementing partners (IPs) who were successful in submitting proposals that supported the LIFT purpose in the areas targeted.

Functional Responsibilities

The purpose of the assignment is to prepare high-quality research briefs on subjects related rural development in Myanmar, particularly related to activities that have been funded or could be funded through LIFT in Myanmar, as and when required.

The consultant will perform the following duties:

a) Review project documents provided by LIFT in order to identify lessons learned, including but not limited to, the following thematic areas: community development approaches; community and farmer organisations; social protection; land issues; governance; and other areas related to food security and livelihoods.

b) Prepare reports documenting the lessons learned from LIFT projects in areas as required.

c) Prepare research briefs to help identify future projects of strategic importance to LIFT in the following thematic areas: community development approaches; community and farmer organisations; social protection; land issues; governance; and other areas related to food security and livelihoods.

Competencies

Professionalism – Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, analyze options and recommend solutions. Ability to work systematically, accurately and under pressure.

Planning and organizing - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan to meet the deadlines and those under his/her supervision.

Result-oriented - Ability to focus on the result for clients and respond positively to feedback.

Client orientation - Ability to identify clients' needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.

Analytical skills – Strong analytical skills and an ability to write in a clear and concise manner.

Communication - Proven ability to communicate effectively orally in English. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationship with procurement counterparts and substantive offices. Ability to communicate technical procurement matters in a simple and clear manner to individuals not well versed in the intricacies of procurement.

Self-reliance: Ability to act independently with a minimum of supervision. Technological awareness - Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• A Master's degree in social sciences, business management, development economics, rural development, agricultural economics or related field. (A Bachelor degree in social sciences, business management, development economics, rural development, agricultural economics or related field in combination with 7 years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree.)
• A minimum of 5 years professional experience in a field related to rural development, livelihoods, financial inclusion, planning or project management.
• Proven track record of producing high quality written reports and other materials.
• Significant professional experience and networks in Myanmar and a very good understanding of the country context.
• Fluency in English.

Contract type, level and durationContract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract level: IICA-2 Contract duration: One year (homebased with some travel to Myanmar, retainer -100 work days) For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.